New Delhi: In a fresh violence in strife-torn Manipur, an elderly man was killed while five others, including a young girl, were injured in a rocket attack on a residential area of Moirang in Bishnupur district on Friday afternoon.
The rocket struck the compound of Mairembam Koireng’s residence, former chief minister. The elderly man, who was preparing for a religious ritual, was killed instantly by the explosion. Five others, among them a 13-year-old girl, suffered injuries in the blast.
#WATCH | Manipur | A team of Mobile Forensic Unit, DFS, Manipur collect evidence after what appeared to be a rocket attack in Moirang, Bishnupur district.
Confirmation of the nature of ordnance awaited. pic.twitter.com/dWu5mdmmol
— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2024
Second rocket attack in a day
This was the second rocket fired in Bishnupur on Friday, with the earlier one launched from an elevated position towards the residential locality of Tronglaobi, around 45km from the state capital, Imphal.
Meanwhile, the state government announced the closure of schools on Saturday amid the bomb attacks in Bishnupur. The Manipur Directorate of Education issued a notification ordering the closure of government, private, and central schools, citing concerns for the safety of students and staff.
This attack came after two people were killed in a drone attack in Koutruk village in the Imphal West district on Sunday. Drones were again in attack the next day when three people were injured.
State consulting experts from NSG
The use of these drones marks an alarming development in the conflict which began last year over quota. These drones are capable of operating from distances ranging between 500 meters and 15 kilometers.
According to a Firstpost report, the state police is contacting experts including from National Security Guards over the drone attacks. A multi-agency committee will analyze how to tackle the threat of drones.
In response to the rising tensions, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a coalition of civil society groups, declared a “public emergency” across the five districts of the Imphal Valley. As authorities continue to investigate the attacks, the community remains on high alert, with fears of further unrest looming.